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Opinion Editorials Stan Weishaar 1922-2009
Stan Weishaar 1922-2009
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The Grande Ronde Valley lost one of its agricultural pioneers and
mainstays and a good community citizen with the death Dec. 31 of
Stanley Weishaar. Weishaar left a positive mark on all he touched, whether it was his involvement in agriculture and related organizations, or his contributions to the community through his involvement in a wide assortment of groups, from the Lions Club to the Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Board. Weishaar, in fact, was a founding member of OTEC, the cooperative that was formed as a way to meet the region’s electrical needs upon the departure of CP National Corp. Stan was among the group of people who worked valiantly back in the 1980s to put the co-op together, and who offered to serve on the fledgling utility’s board. His commitment never waned; he served continuously on the board until just recently, when he announced he would step down from the elected position. He was also a charter member of the Island City Lions, one of the area’s most active service clubs. Through the club he was involved in numerous local events and causes, many of which raised funds for the Oregon Lions Club Sight and Hearing Foundation. He was also involved in helping form and support a scholarship program for agriculture students at Eastern Oregon University. None of Weishaar’s community contributions and achievements, though, could top what he accomplished back on the farm. He took up residence here in the late 1950s and turned his farm into one of the most productive and diversified operations in the valley. He was one of the first farmers in the valley to drill an irrigation well, and he installed one of the first circle irrigation systems in the valley. Weishaar’s approach resulted in him being named the Man of the Year in 1965 for his conservation practices. He passed his knowledge along to his sons, who continue the Weishaar tradition of diversification and innovation. The Grande Ronde Valley is a better place because Stan Weishaar decided to call it home. He will be missed. |
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